As the first three weeks of school have finished and students settle into their schedules, there are some new faces from different places roaming the halls. Brave and adventurous foreign exchange students from all around the world have come to Northview to experience what it’s like to have an American senior year.
Pedro Grisi [Pay-dro] [Gree-zee]
Age: 15
Home country: Brazil
Host family: Blann Family
Sports or clubs: none so far.
His favorite thing about the American school system his favorite thing so far is the hourly changing of classes. In Spain, the teachers change classes, not the students. He is still unsure if he wants to do a sport.
“If I had to choose what sports I would be a part of I would say handball or soccer but I don’t know if they are here,” Britto said.
Maryam Msdek [Mary-um] [suh-deh-kuh]
Age: 17
Home country: Italy
Host family: Elmorabeti Family
Sports or clubs: Swimming, and she wants to join the school dance team
Being in this new environment has led her to experience new things that she wouldn’t have in Italy.
“I haven’t done much since I came here [with my host family] but the senior sunrise is something you wouldn’t do in Italy,” Msdek said.
Julia Pattaro [Ju-lee-uh] [Pat-uh-ro]
Age: 16
Home country: Brazil
Host family: Burke Family
Sports and Clubs: Varsity cheer and maybe basketball
Patarro’s favorite experience with her host family so far has been their trip to Traverse City, but her favorite experience within the community has been the football games. She is still getting used to the different school system.
“I like the crowd and the energy of the [football] games,” Pattaro said.
Marta Pulido [Mar-tuh] [Pull-ee-to]
Age: 17
Home country: Spain
Host family: Leonardis Family
Sports and clubs: Swim and is looking for a sport each season
Pulido outside of school has gone to Pine Water River up north in Manistee and likes the swim meets. The school and classes here are much more fun and exciting than school back home in Spain which she likes. Back home schools don’t support or provide sports.
“There are many sports here in the school and the classes are more fun than in Spain because we have to play sports for club not school,” Pulido said.
Alicia Waag [Al-ee-thee-uh] [Wog]
Age: 15
Home country: Spain
Host family: Galmish Family
Sports and clubs: Basketball
Waag enjoys that teachers are much nicer here than they are in Spain. Wagg and the Galmish family have already made the trip to see the Mackinac Bridge.
“It was so hot and the shops on the island were very overpriced but it was worth it,” Waag said.
Ieva Rutkauskaite [yay-vuh] [Rut-co-sti-fuh]
Age: 16
Home country: Lithuania
Host family: Isely Family
Sports and clubs: Bowling and stagehand at the play
Rutkauskaite loves that as a student you can choose your own lessons and really enjoys the decor of each teacher’s room. An event that sticks out for her is visiting a dog park which doesn’t exist in Lithuania.
“There’s a lot of dogs so I liked it because I love dogs, [and] I even got to pet some,” Rutkauskaite said.
Hung Lee
Age: 15
Home country: Vietnam
Host family: Weeks Family
Sports and Clubs: Doesn’t know yet but is considering basketball
Lee’s favorite food is a hamburger from McDonalds. He loves gym class and going out and doing anything with his host family.
“I’m trying to see what’s so different from Thailand,” Lee said.
Kittikon Kittikunsiri [Kit-ee-con] [Kit-ee-cun-sur-ee]
Age: 16
Home country: Thailand
Host family: Weeks Family
Sports and clubs: Ping Pong
Kittikon wants to improve his English while on his adventure here, He has not done much so far with his host family but is enthused about the experiences ahead.
“I am going camping with my host family soon [which] I am excited for,” Kittikunsiri said.
